Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-01-14
CHAPTER w.
CHAPTER ".
PEDDLER PETE MAKES A REVELATION

CHAPTER w.
PEDDLER PETE MAKES A REVELATION
If Warren's parents felt any great
vexation, they did not evince it by
words. In an instant'th look of sur
prise and pain had vanished from their
features.
j ,'Sit in here, Helen,'' said Mrs Stu
art, 1--WE arc going to have evening
prayer 0
Helen, who was quick to perceive tho
change in the features of her employ
ers, knew they were displeased, and
was in the act of going to the kitchen.
Warren, knowing that he had done no
wrong, sat down upon the old-fash-
ioned sofa, his whole soul aroused to
rebellion against his parents. He
possessed a proud, sensitive nature, and
the very fact that his parents had neg
lected Helen Lakeman, and allowed
her to walk alone through the dark for
est to church, vexed and annoyed him.
But his mother spoke kindly to her.
and he was somewhat Modified
While Mr.. Blaze was reading a chap
ter from the Bible, he watched the face
of Helen. 50 beautiful, so sweet and
earnest There was heavenly piety
in it, which seemed to place halo Of
holy light about those golden curls.
She was opposite him, and as she knelt
in prayer he could but observe her
The prayer of Mr.. Blaze was earnest
and warm. but Warren heard very lit
tie Of 1t. When the amen was pro-
nounced and all arose to their feet,
Helen retired to her small room in the
rear of the kitchen.
Warren could not sleep that night.
Many others have been in a like condi-
ton. A person may find sleep with
the toothache, with broken limb or
when suffering the most intense phys
ical pain, but whoever went to sleep
when harrassed and annoyed with tho
doubts, fear and hopes of love, until
completely worn out. This new emo
ton had burst upon Warren so sud-
denly that he was almost overwhelmed,
After tossing about upon his bed for
sometime, in his vain effort to WOO the
drowsy god, he arose and crept softly
down the stairway. He went out into
the moonlight, and his eyes involunta-
rily turned toward thu rear kitchen
where was the small apartment which
was Helen's sleeping room, He walked
down the wooded road, now so dear to
him by the recent walk from church;
he sat down beneath large oak tree
and strovo TO cool his heated brain.
This was tho weakest Of follies, he
knew; but then we are weak creatures.
After finding it impossible to restore
the equanimity of his mind, he re-
turned to the house. Now the dear old
farmhouse seemed doubly dear
"Why am so agitated. so annoyed
Tonight" no asked himself,
Had the question been asked Warren
Stuart: "Are you In love with this
hired grip" he would undoubtedly
have answered mo y though he was
willing to admit that she was beautiful,
Igood as an angel, and possessed tho
most loveable qualities of any person
he had ever met, Yet there was GER
tain pride in'his nature, which revolted
at the idea Of his marrying hired girl.
This pride was not dead. and would
have to be overcome before he could
be induced to propose marriage TO
Helen; but it was numbed and might
be worn down by any sudden torrent of
feeling.
He returned to the house and crept
softly up to his room. Though he slept
but little, that night, he was less rest
less than before,he took his moonlight
walk. ~ 50 -
The next morning he was feeling
dull and heavy. His brothers had long
been up, and were feeding and curry
ing their horses, while their breakfast
was preparing. The minister and his
wife were going to Newton that morn-
ing and Warren was the person selected
to take them.
II guess IL yer goin' to town to-day
I'll jist go long to take the train for
Chicago" said Peddler Pete; Eye see
my stocks runnin' low, an l had bet
ter replenish jist little"
The preacher and his wife sat on
the rear seat. Pete, having asked pardon
and got the permission to light his pipe,
was enjoying a smoke during the morn
ing ride.
The road to Newton was through a
rich farming country. Sandy Fork
was the most fertile portion of the
State. On this delightful spring morn
ing every thing seemed fresh and lovely.
The whistle Of the plow-boy and songs
of the birds made the air melodious.
the richness of their soil the winter